Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Miskz Efa Vivacious - Independent LIVE @ TOPDAWG GOT SWAGG AZZUCAR
Miskz Efa's, Vivacious represent, performing 2009 hit single, Independent LIVE at TOPDAWG GOT SWAGG PARTY @ AZZUCAR, Clarke Quay, 10th April 2009. TOPDAWG GOT SWAGG is a collaborative effort between TOPDAWG (Asia) and SWAGG NEWS (U.S., who manages artistes like Rihanna, Jim Jones, Lil Wayne, etc)
One of the 12 contestants for Battle of the MP3. This is Miskz Efa's solo performance so do look out for her future solo performances!
I think that's a pretty solid performance by one of Singapore's female emcee. The battle was held on last Saturday, and the winner was Richard Jansen. Congratulations to him and big ups to all the participants.
To get more of Miskz Efa, you can check out:
www.youtube.com/miskzefa
www.myspace.com/bellezapeligrosa
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Eminem - We Made You (Official Video) 2009 Release
Yes, Eminem's back to ridicule and smash hip hop AND hollywood. Here's his first single off his upcoming album, Relapse.
Production by Dr Dre.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Stoupe - Decalogue (Album Review by Sazz)
Article written by: Sazz
Album: Decalogue
Artist: Stoupe The Enemy of Mankind feat other acts.
Date release: 31st March 2009
Tracklist:
1. Allison James (feat. Slaine)
2. When The Sun Goes Down (feat. Saigon)
3. Evil Deeds (feat. Demoz, Des Devious & Jus Allah)
4. The Truth (feat. Supastition)
5. That's Me (feat. Joell Ortiz)
6. The Torch (feat. King Magnetic & Reef The Lost Cauze)
7. Speakeasy (feat. Outerspace)
8. Transition of Power (feat. M.O.P.)
9. Independence Day (feat. Block McCloud)
10. Find A Way (feat. Lorrie Doriza)
Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name as Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. His production is often the most acclaimed aspect of the group’s work. At times sampling upwards of 50 sounds for tracks, Stoupe is often considered one of the most complex, intricate and dedicated producers in hip hop. Stoupe has worked with only a limited number of artists outside of Jedi Mind Tricks, including 7L & Esoteric, Canibus, and Guru of Gang Starr. Stoupe resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
My review:
Now believe it or not, me and a couple of guys got this album before the official release date. Now if you are looking for the ultimate producer album, this has to be THE ONE ALBUM. His producing style is just unique. In this cd, you'll find various style. Speakeasy feat Outerspace has definitely caught my ear drums attention as the funky guitars are nicely arranged. Thats Me feat Joell Ortizz is simply magical with the horns. For a moment I thought it was mainstream music. Despite that, Stoupe familiar techniques is still shown through tracks like Transition of Power feat M.O.P. At the end of it, the closing track feat Lorrie Doriza - Find A Way was something I would least expect. I went "hey where's the rap?" only to realise later that the track is not RAP!
So get a copy of this, especially if you're a producer. This is one album that can give you plenty of inspiration with variety and sampling techniques.
Rating: 9.5/10
Album: Decalogue
Artist: Stoupe The Enemy of Mankind feat other acts.
Date release: 31st March 2009
Tracklist:
1. Allison James (feat. Slaine)
2. When The Sun Goes Down (feat. Saigon)
3. Evil Deeds (feat. Demoz, Des Devious & Jus Allah)
4. The Truth (feat. Supastition)
5. That's Me (feat. Joell Ortiz)
6. The Torch (feat. King Magnetic & Reef The Lost Cauze)
7. Speakeasy (feat. Outerspace)
8. Transition of Power (feat. M.O.P.)
9. Independence Day (feat. Block McCloud)
10. Find A Way (feat. Lorrie Doriza)
Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name as Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. His production is often the most acclaimed aspect of the group’s work. At times sampling upwards of 50 sounds for tracks, Stoupe is often considered one of the most complex, intricate and dedicated producers in hip hop. Stoupe has worked with only a limited number of artists outside of Jedi Mind Tricks, including 7L & Esoteric, Canibus, and Guru of Gang Starr. Stoupe resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
My review:
Now believe it or not, me and a couple of guys got this album before the official release date. Now if you are looking for the ultimate producer album, this has to be THE ONE ALBUM. His producing style is just unique. In this cd, you'll find various style. Speakeasy feat Outerspace has definitely caught my ear drums attention as the funky guitars are nicely arranged. Thats Me feat Joell Ortizz is simply magical with the horns. For a moment I thought it was mainstream music. Despite that, Stoupe familiar techniques is still shown through tracks like Transition of Power feat M.O.P. At the end of it, the closing track feat Lorrie Doriza - Find A Way was something I would least expect. I went "hey where's the rap?" only to realise later that the track is not RAP!
So get a copy of this, especially if you're a producer. This is one album that can give you plenty of inspiration with variety and sampling techniques.
Rating: 9.5/10
Monday, March 23, 2009
video cipher & battles?
Remember back in the days when emcees used to do their ciphers on mIRC? Then it moves on to forums and bulletin boards. It used to be all in text, thus the term, keystyling. Cats call each other out and type out lyrics to smash the opponent to bits. After when recording equipments and microphones are getting affordable, audio battling/cipher was born. It's the same deal with keystyling just that it's in audio. After awhile, it all dies down for a bit when forums, mIRC and bulletin boards became a thing of the past being replaced by new and fancy social-media stuffs like YouTube.
I thought that's the end to keystyling.
But then, Frizzay from T.A.G Productionite informed me about this thing called video ciphers. It's pretty interesting. It's almost running along the same lines as keystyling but this time, it's in video format. It's more dramatic and exciting. There's lots of room for creativity and I think it's just fantastic that some of our local dudes are doing it. It's pretty hot elsewhere around America.
It goes like this, you basically do your thing infront of the webcam/handphone/whatever that can record you a video, and you 'callout' to whoever is within the cipher circle. Then, the other dude will post a reply and it gets on from there. Here's an example by D-PRYDE:
Looks interesting, eh? Now let's move on to our local emcees in action:
OK, I have to admit, it's not as good as the foreign counterpart but that's cool. It's a good attempt and it's a healthy thing. Man, I'd love to see some of the Rogue Squadron cats do this thing and more cats from SG too.
So guys, get your videos ready coz this thing is cool and mad fun.
And oh, before any of you fools out there get it on with 'aiya, like this do rapping behind the monitor for what, come real life lah' - shut up. The internet is a good medium to let you know of your own standards and I stand by it whether its in text, audio or video. If you got some balls of steel, let's see you drop a video for the world to see. Many cats I know whom are now big names started out from the internet.
I thought that's the end to keystyling.
But then, Frizzay from T.A.G Productionite informed me about this thing called video ciphers. It's pretty interesting. It's almost running along the same lines as keystyling but this time, it's in video format. It's more dramatic and exciting. There's lots of room for creativity and I think it's just fantastic that some of our local dudes are doing it. It's pretty hot elsewhere around America.
It goes like this, you basically do your thing infront of the webcam/handphone/whatever that can record you a video, and you 'callout' to whoever is within the cipher circle. Then, the other dude will post a reply and it gets on from there. Here's an example by D-PRYDE:
Looks interesting, eh? Now let's move on to our local emcees in action:
OK, I have to admit, it's not as good as the foreign counterpart but that's cool. It's a good attempt and it's a healthy thing. Man, I'd love to see some of the Rogue Squadron cats do this thing and more cats from SG too.
So guys, get your videos ready coz this thing is cool and mad fun.
And oh, before any of you fools out there get it on with 'aiya, like this do rapping behind the monitor for what, come real life lah' - shut up. The internet is a good medium to let you know of your own standards and I stand by it whether its in text, audio or video. If you got some balls of steel, let's see you drop a video for the world to see. Many cats I know whom are now big names started out from the internet.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Lyrics Born - I like it, I love it
Digging this song these days. Funnnkeeeeh. From the album 'Everywhere at once", 2008 release.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Kwizyne - Acquired Taste Mixtape (Free download)
aCQUIRED tASTE mIXTAPE [pROTOTYPE] is asian rapper Kwizyne Rhema's extended demotape. This compilation exhibits lyricism over instrumentals of commercial/underground hits and misses. aCQUIRED tASTE mIXTAPE [pROTOTYPE] contains 21 tracks including collaborations with other lyricists who are for him to know and for you to find out. It is labelled as his signature style of writing rhymes: consistently dropping wordplay and punchlines with references of Singapore lifestyle and media in a foreigner's perspective. As reflected through songs like Old Changi Hospital, Stoic Boy, Yusof Bin Ishak and many more. If there's a local who loves talking like he's a foreigner then there's a foreigner who loves talking like he's a local. Out to tell you that he doesn't care about your taste buds, so you'll just have to acquire his.
click one of the links here to download:
http://www.zshare.net/down
http://www.megaupload.com/
http://rapidshare.com/file
http://www.sendspace.com/f
My comments: Download this. Kwizyne is one of my favorite act in this region right now simply because he's always on point. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this one. Review coming up soon!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Q-sTayLe feat. Izzy - Mungkin Ianya Salahku (Track Review)
Credits:
Q-sTayLe feat. Izzy
Mungkin Ianya Salahku
2009 Single
Music Composer: Ralph
Lyrics: Q-sTayLe
Video Producer: Sourplums Production
www.myspace.com/qstayle
On first listen, I give props to the producer of this track; the beat is good and I think the combination of those two ladies is a winner. Although it's just another malay love song, it has good potential. The chorus has a good melody and feel to it and the verses are cleverly put together. Good ideas and feel coming out of this track.
But here comes the bomb, it is a weak execution. Both musically and in terms of publicity. Although the song has good potential, technically speaking, the execution of the track was poor. Maybe the producer wasn't pressuring enough in the studio, or something bad happened during mixing. The verses sounds as if Q-sTayLe was trying a bit too hard and I sensed that she left out the most important thing in rapping; emotion and feel. As a person who've been through recording sessions, I think Q-sTayLe was reading the verse instead of rapping it. Izzy on the hand, wasn't spot on either. It's too casual. Like you're singing to a bunch of friends. It was as if it's recorded while you guys are chilling at a void deck. There's no feel and it sounds way too casual.
What seperates a good song to a amateur effort is one, the idea which for this case, it is spot on. And two, the most important and what's missing, is the effort technically and musically. That's why it's important to get a good producer, invest in some good studio hours and mixing.
And the music video, in my opinion, it wasn't necessary. It could possibly do more harm than good. I would've preferred this song to be released as a preview demo first.
Overall; 2.5 outta 5 mics.
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